The European Commission would be surprised if temporary protection for Ukrainians is extended, DW reports

The European Union is unlikely to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees.

Deutsche Welle reported this, citing sources.

“I would be very surprised if temporary protection were extended in its current form. I think five years is enough for a temporary measure,” said Ilva Johansson, the European Commission’s special envoy for Ukrainians in the EU.

The official opened a conference titled “What Comes After Temporary? The Future of Ukrainians in the EU in Four Years” with that remark.

According to Johansson, Ukrainians who have been living in EU countries for several years will, over time, have to switch to other legal grounds for staying. These could include residence permits issued by national governments, work or study visas, and other forms of legal stay.

She emphasized that if the war drags on, the EU will continue to provide protection to people leaving Ukraine. However, the approach could change—for example, protection might be granted only “to people from regions that are clearly unsafe.”

Johansson noted that the European Commission sees that most Ukrainian refugees, over time, have decided to remain in the EU.

At the same time, the Commission is preparing a program for the voluntary return of Ukrainians to their homeland. The idea is that the EU would support organized communities rather than make one-off payments to returnees.

“We will not give money directly to people. We want to invest in local communities,” Johansson explained.

Earlier, media reports said that fewer than half of Ukrainian refugees plan to return home after the war.